Eui-Seung Hwang

Optimization of Design Details in Orthotropic Steel Decks Subjected to Static and Fatigue Loads

In recent decades, orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) have been routinely incorporated into long-span bridges. The most widely used method to reduce stress concentration, improve fatigue performance, and control crack propagation is to cut out the diaphragms (or subfloor beams) into which the OSDs frame. However, the capital cost of cutout fabrication in the United States is high and may not be economically feasible. Study is required of cost-effective modified design details without cutouts as well as comparisons with their corresponding flexural and fatigue performance against current design details that use cutouts. Alternative design details (e.g., deck ribs welded directly to the transverse diaphragms using full-penetration welds) with thicker deck plates, but without cutouts, were investigated for potential improvements in fatigue resistance and capital cost. A parametric study was conducted with calibrated finite element models of a portion of the Bronx–Whitestone Bridge in New York City to study the effects of cutouts, deck plate thickness, and other important parameters on fatigue performance. Various traffic load combinations and truck types were considered with the use of an elaborate weigh-in-motion database. Results detail the equivalent stress ranges at critical locations in the OSDs that were calculated to quantitatively estimate fatigue lives for two OSD models: one with cutouts and one without. On the basis of these comparisons, recommendations related to overall structural performance were made to ensure a safe and rational design for various OSD options in long-span bridges.

Effect of Substructure Stiffness on Performance of Steel Integral Abutment Bridges Under Thermal Loads

This paper presents a study that investigated the effect of substructure stiffness on the performance of short- and medium-length steel integral abutment bridges (IABs) built on clay under thermal load effects. Various parameters, such as pile size and orientation, pile type, and foundation soil stiffness, were considered in the study. Detailed, three-dimensional (3-D), finite element (FE) models were developed to capture the behavior of IABs. Field measurements from a IAB were used to validate the 3-D FE model developed with LUSAS software. With the use of validated models, a parametric study was carried out to study the effect of these parameters on the performance of IABs under thermal loading with AASHTO load and resistance factor design temperature ranges. The study showed that the substructure stiffness had a significant effect on the stress level induced by thermal loads in various components of the substructure and superstructure. The results also showed significant variations in displacement and stress between interior and exterior locations in relatively wide IABs. The study showed that prestressed concrete piles could form a viable alternative to steel H-piles for short-span bridges. The stress level from thermal loading in the various components of the bridge could be reduced significantly if the top part of the pile were placed in an enclosure filled with crushed stone or loose sand.

Measurement and Proposed Design Specification of Temperature Distribution in the Concrete Pylon

This paper deals with monitoring and analysis of temperature measurement data in concrete pylon of long span cable bridges. During the construction of Geoga Bridge in Busan-Geoje Fixed Link Project, temperature sensors were installed in several sections of hollow box type concrete pylon and temperatures along the depth of the four sides of the section have been recorded along with ambient temperature. Effects of temperature distribution on the pylon are analysed using actual measured data and results are compared with the design guideline. It was found that the temperature load model for concrete girder can be applied to box type concrete pylon. Structural analysis of the pylon due to variation of temperature distribution during the construction is performed using 3D modelling and FE program and the maximum displacements of east-west and north-south side were calculated as 0.056m and 0.121m, respectively.

Determination of Multi-Lane Loading Factors for Vehicular Load of Bridges using Weigh-In-Motion Data

The purpose of this study is to calculate and propose rational multi-lane loading factors for bridge design considering the probability of simultaneous truck passing in adjacent lanes and real truck weights. The probability of simultaneous truck passing is calculated by analyzing video image taken at various locations in highways and national roads. Weigh-In-Motion system data at two locations are used, which is combined with the probability of multiple presence to calculate the multi-lane loading factors for typical 2 lane and 5 lane bridges. Statistical properties of multi-lane loading factors are also calculated assuming that locations for video images and WIM data represent the overall traffic condition in the country. Results are compared with various design codes in the world and they show that the values are between the current Korea Bridge Design Code and AASHTO LRFD specification or Eurocode and are similar to Canadian Code.